Need a break from your daily routine? Check out the top trending travel destinations in Ontario.
Returning to work after the holiday bliss can feel exhausting for many. Between going back to your routine and snow days, seasonal depression might start setting in.
With Jan. 19, otherwise known as ‘Blue Monday’ – the “most depressing day of the year” – coming up, hotels.com compiled data on the top international and provincial destinations Ontarians are searching up to escape the blues.
The hotel booking website gathered data from searches made between Oct. 6, 2025 and Jan. 11, 2026, for travel dates between Jan. 17-25, 2026.
For trips abroad, the top five international spots include Mexico City, Barcelona, Punta Cana, Barbados, and Osaka.
But if you’d rather support local, here are five Ontario destinations popular amongst travellers:
Kingston
With searches up 135 per cent on hotels.com, Kingston is known for its limestone architecture, vibrant waterfront on Lake Ontario, historic military base Fort Henry, and for its markets.
Travellers can enter a historic prison: the decommissioned Kingston Penitentiary’s cells and facilities – Canada’s oldest and most notorious maximum-security prison.
As Kingston is on the waterfront, another popular activity is to take the 1000 Islands cruise, either during the day or to enjoy a sunset dinner, where you can visit islands with elaborate castles.
Kingston is also home to Ontario’s oldest and longest-running public market, featuring fresh local produce, cut flowers, plants, baked goods, crafts, and more.
Hamilton
With searches up 70 per cent, Hamilton is a trending Ontario travel destination right now. Locally known as “The Hammer” or “Steeltown” for its industrial roots, the city has rebranded to showcase its historic sites, nature, and sports involvement.
A national historic site includes Dundurn Castle, a 40-room Italianate-style villa built on the former site of a British military encampment during the War of 1812. If you prefer creepy history, there are five different ghost tours around the city.
Hamilton is also known as the “City of Waterfalls,” with hundreds of falls, including Albion Falls, Devil’s Punchbowl, Smokey Hollow Falls, Sherman Falls, and Webster’s Falls.
And, Hamilton has the TD Coliseum, which offers Shaq’s first Big Chicken restaurant in Canada, and entertainment ranging from hockey games to a variety of concerns.
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London
London is the third-most-trending Ontario destination right now, with searches up 65 per cent. The city offers nature, history, and live entertainment.
London is also known as “The Forest City” for its over four million trees, offering a scenic stroll through the city.
The city is huge in the music scene, being Canada’s first and only UNESCO City of Music and hosting renowned festivals, such as Sunfest, RBC Rock the Park, and more.
Kitchener
Kitchener takes you to Germany without ever leaving Canada. With a proud German heritage, this city hosts one of the world’s largest Oktoberfests, featuring music, polkas, and beer among numerous activities.
Searches are up 60 per cent for this city west of Toronto, and boasts several museums and a weekly artisan market on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Collingwood
Collingwood, located near the south shore of Georgian Bay, is known for its shipbuilding industry and heritage architecture. Searches for Collingwood are up 45 per cent on hotels.com.
Winter activities in Collingwood include visiting Blue Mountain, Ontario’s most popular ski and mountain bike resort.
To see the view of Georgian Bay, stay at a waterfront resort: Living Water Resort & Spa.
On warmer days, Collingwood has a viral lavender field, South Bay Fields Lavender Farm, where visitors can take Instagram-worthy pictures in July.
